The Fireplace
News
To my Fireplace family:
At long last and after 16 excitement-filled years (and when I say excitement-filled, I think we can agree that I’m not exaggerating!), I have decided to close the restaurant.
Like Hollywood marriages, restaurants generally don’t last that long, and I’m honored that this one has. I am so grateful to all of you who have made The Fireplace your home-away-from-home, met blind dates at our bar, invited me to be part of your charity galas, shared burgers with your kids on our patio, and spent the holidays with us.
Over the years I’ve had offers and interest, and come close before (as many of you know) but the timing hasn’t been right until now. Everything I do I want to do with gusto, and for the moment that’s taking on the project of getting healthy, alongside my beloved family (as I write this, I’m scheduled for surgery and walking around with a cane). Fortunately for me and my love of New England, I also get to be part of something I love in the Hartford Yard Goats, and I hope to see some of you at the ballpark in the years ahead.
I have always been a true foodie, a devotee of all things local, and hopefully a friend to farmers. But I think my favorite parts of this business have been the opportunity to celebrate American history, to help my community, and to call all of you my friends.
Love, Jim
P.S. Our last day is likely August 31st. Until then, I hope to see you at the table next to me; let’s enjoy this last month together.
We do what we do because we love great food, and because we love our community. But a little attention never hurt anybody. Take a peek at our news and awards.
Solomon serves up food and drink from age of sail
The romantic age of sail returned to Boston Harbor this week with the arrival of the Tall Ships. The food and drink of the era, however, was anything but romantic….
click here to read more.
The 10 Best Lunch Spots in Massachusetts!
The 10 Best Lunch Spots in Massachusetts!
Featuring fresh New England ingredients, the Fireplace is a neighborhood bar and grill that serves up an amazing lunch. Chow down on a super sloppy joe or grilled shrimp & sautéed calamari. The diverse menu has something for everyone…. click here to read more.
Cocido: A Spanish Dish with Jewish Roots
By Penny Schwartz | The Nosher
Chef Jim Solomon, owner of the Boston restaurant, The Fireplace, likes to stir the pot. The award-winning Jewish chef’s recipe for “Spanish Inquisition Remembered” is a boldly named new twist on a centuries-old Spanish chickpea-based stew known as cocido, that will spice up the Purim menu and the conversation around the Purim dinner table…click here to read more.
JIM SOLOMON BRINGS HISTORY TO THE FIREPLACE
Brookline Hub
As the owner of the Washington Square staple The Fireplace, Jim Solomon has a widely-regarded dedication to New England-inspired cuisine. However, he possesses another passion that extends beyond the kitchen. Since he was a young boy, Solomon has been a lover of American history… click here to read more.
Top Boston Chefs Rally Behind Animal Welfare Bill
By Christopher Hughes | Chowder
Jamie Bissonnette, Tiffani Faison, and several others are urging senators to pass legislation banning restrictive cages. Click here to see the complete details.
Meet Jim Solomon, The Former Citi Banker
Who Became A Famous Boston Chef
BY Myles meserve | Business insider
Jim Solomon has always dreamt about food. His dreams lead him away from Wall Street and into the kitchen.
That was 15 years ago. Now he’s a renowned restaurant owner and chef. Jim’s award winning restaurant, The Fireplace, is just minutes from Boston in Brookline, MA.…read more.
Banned in Boston! A must see!
Cuisine Rock – Chefs Video from Banned in Boston 2014
BATTLE OF THE BURGER 2013 – AUGUST 13TH
Boston Magazine is hosting the 2nd annual Battle of the Burger presented by Amstel® . 20 finalists will be competing live on August 13th and the Fireplace will be proudly participating.Click here to see the complete details.
ENGAGING EMPLOYEES IN CHARITABLE WORKS
Many restaurants experience even greater benefit from charitable and community activities by involving employees, getting their input and making it easy to participate, all of which has a positive effect on employee morale, improved retention, and a competitive hiring advantage…read more about how the Fireplace is involved.
HOW BOSTON RESTAURANTS
USE LOCAL, SEASONAL PRODUCE
BY DEVRA FIRST | BOSTON GLOBE 
Not all that long ago, it was unusual to find chefs shaping their menus around what was available in area farmers’ markets and fields. Then “local” and “seasonal” became buzzwords, a form of marketing for restaurants wanting to attract discerning diners. Now the buzzword phase has passed. From hotel restaurants to tiny, independently owned bistros, four-star properties to neighborhood joints, it’s a matter of course: Everyone is serving dishes that incorporate fruits and vegetables grown in New England…read more.
ENERGY HAPPY HOUR
Come by the Fireplace on January 19, 2013 from 3-4:30pm to learn how to save energy, money, and the environment over a hot cup of cider and Fireplace donuts.
Learn about no-cost home energy assessments and insulation rebates for 1-4 family homes. See if your home is right for affordable solar. Discover efficient alternatives to heating with oil.
Special Contest this winter: Sign up by March 1,2013 & be entered to win up to $500 to Brookline Local First Businesses. Sign up & more info at at greenhomesbrookline.org.
A DAUGHTER LOST,
COUPLE IS WARMED BY KINDNESS
Dottie and Bob Grodberg never made it to dinner at The Fireplace in Brookline to celebrate their wedding anniversary on Sept. 10, 2002. They just couldn’t bear to go out the night before the first anniversary of an event that would forever spoil feelings of matrimonial joy for Dottie…read more.
FROM THE OWNER’S PERSPECTIVE
ECONEWSNETWORK.ORG
A Chat with Boston’s Leading Green Restaurant Owner Jim Solomon…read more.
BOSTON’S LEADING ECO-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT
This is what makes The Fireplace in Brookline, Mass., all the more unique. A chic, suave and cozy fusion of green initiatives and culinary talent…read more.
THE BOSTON FOODIE REVOLUTION OF 2011
OYSTER.COM
Veteran travelers and resolute foodies looking for that true local experience, far off the beaten tourist path, seek refuge in the flavors and fantasia of The Fireplace — an intimate, romantic restaurant in Brookline that commingles New England recipes with culinary traditions from the Mother Land…read more
THE GREENEST OF THEM ALL
BOSTON GLOBE, DECEMBER 3, 2008
“Our mission is to buy from local farmers and fishermen,” says Jim Solomon, chef-owner of the Brookline restaurant. “Our products are not trucked long distances. We’ve got mushroom foragers coming in the back door (below right, with Benjamin Maleson); Pat Woodbury is our clam digger from Wellfleet. We use produce from Ward’s and other local farms. We buy really just from New England.”…read more
Named a “Hot Spot”
by Boston Magazine
BOSTON MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2006
“This Brookline fave lures locals on even the most frigid evening with its cheery staff and glorious fire.”
Named a “Great Date”
MICHAEL BRODEUR, WEEKLY DIG, NOVEMBER 2005
“It’s refreshing to find a grill that embraces the regional cuisine of New England, rather than aping Southern styles and attitudes for the sake of botched realism…meat lovers will be stoked”
